Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company has moved rooftop solar consumers to a monthly settlement cycle for surplus electricity exported to the grid, replacing the earlier quarterly system. The revised mechanism will allow payments every month based on import and export recorded through net metering during each billing cycle. The change aims to reduce the wait for consumers awaiting payment for surplus units.

APSPDCL's chairman and managing director said the utility had streamlined the process to provide quicker and more transparent services and that the monthly system ensures bill settlements are completed on time. He noted that rooftop solar consumers were contributing to the state's renewable energy sector by supplying surplus power to the grid. The programme is being implemented in line with central guidelines and with state support to promote renewable energy.

The utility said 36,963 consumers across Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor, Annamayya, YSR Kadapa, Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts had installed rooftop systems with a combined generation capacity of 128 megawatts (MW). It credited Rs 8.388 million (mn) directly to the bank accounts of 14,786 consumers towards surplus power supplied during June and transferred a further Rs 6.84 mn to 17,086 consumers in July under the monthly settlement process. Officials said the move reflected growing adoption of rooftop solar across districts.

APSPDCL directed field-level officials to ensure consumers do not face inconvenience in billing or settlement and said it was strengthening billing, net metering and monthly settlement systems to cope with increasing uptake. Consumers with billing queries may contact the nearest assistant accounts officer or assistant executive engineer, report grievances via the toll free numbers 1912 or 1800 425 155333, or use WhatsApp on 91333 31912. The utility said these measures were intended to make the transition smoother for existing and new rooftop solar participants.